Lydia
watches through
a thin gap
in the dark
brown curtains
her sister
much older
in the bed
holding tight
to her tall
spiv boyfriend
and kissing
his thick lips
then his ears
which even
nine year old
Lydia
finds quite gross
it takes all
her childish
innocence
not to know
what the show
is about
she looking
through the gap
sees the spiv
put his hand
on the nude
buttocks of
her sister
Lydia
looks away
looks out at
the green grass
and the flats
and windows
opposite
ignoring
the giggles
and snorty
sounds she hears
from the bed
behind her
behind dark
brown curtains
how the heck
she got trapped
behind there
in her games
pretending
the window
was a stage
and she a
child actress
awaiting
to begin
when her big
sister came
tiptoeing in
with the spiv
while hiding
unseen there
Lydia
silently
hid her feet
and stealthily
had her peek
now she sees
pigeons walk
or kids play
with skip rope
or football
or cowboys
and Injuns
but behind
the curtains
on the bed
another
game is played
two actors
in combat
by the sounds
her sister
breathlessly
makes beyond
but innocent
lydia
puts her hands
to cover
her small ears
watching kids
play their games
and joyfully
run about
ignoring
whatever makes
her sister
giggle soft
then loudly
laughing shout.